Are You Being Served?

Are You Being Served? was a British sitcom broadcast from 1972 to 1985. It was set in the men's and women's department of a large fictional London store called Grace Brothers. The episodes rarely left the department floor, and even more rarely left the store. To parody the stereotype of the rigid British class system, characters rarely addressed each other by their given names, even during off hours.

General Information

Are You Being Served? featured mostly obvious humour based on sexual innuendo, misunderstandings, and mistaken identity, as well as sight gags generated by outrageous costumes the characters are sometimes required to wear for store promotions, and gaudy store displays frequently featuring malfunctioning robotic mannequins. Many jokes also confronted the English class system - especially those built into the interaction between maintenance men Mr. Mash or Mr. Harman and the ostensibly higher class store personnel. Characters traded-on such stereotypes as the effeminate Mr. Humphries, who lived with his mother, Captain Peacock, the haughty floorwalker, and the snobbish and boisterous Mrs. Slocombe. The show spawned the catch phrase "Are you free?", usually said by Captain Peacock to the workers; more often than not, the workers are noticeably free; each would look somenly from side to side when asked the question before they would say "yes I'm free, Captain Peacock." As John Inman himself said, it was only when he screamed Mr. Humphries "I'm freeeeeee!" that it became his own personal catchphrase.

After some time, it became widely criticized for its reliance on crude sexual stereotypes, e.g. jokes about Mrs. Slocombe's "pussy" (cat), a sexual double entendre, or John Inman's parody of an effeminate gay man, offensive to some gay men and women. Inman points out that it was never explicitly said that his character was gay, and creators Lloyd and Croft have stated in interviews that the character was not a homosexual (as could be seen when Mr. Humphries once threw himself onto Miss Brahms. This could also be seen in the sequel series Grace and Favour). In fact, Mr. Humphries seemed to be more "on the fence" or bisexual when it came to his sexuality as he showed interest in both men and women, and often took on traditional female and male roles.

The series has become very popular in the United States on PBS stations and on BBC America; as well as in many Commonwealth nations around the world. There have been several spin-offs including Grace & Favour (US: Are You Being Served? Again!), and Are You Being Served? (in Australia). In 1977, an Are You Being Served? movie was released using the same characters and cast.

Theme song

The theme song, written by show co-creator David Croft and composer Ronnie Hazlehurst, consists of a female lift operator (whose voice was provided by Stephanie Reeve) announcing each floor over the sounds of a cash register (which basically serves as the only percussion instrument) and a simple musical accompaniment. A version of the theme song is featured on the album The Ape of Naples by the experimental music group Coil. The theme's distinctive bass guitar sound likely comes from a Rickenbacker 4001, a prevalent instrument in the early 1970s, popularized by such British bands as Yes.

Characters

Mr. Wilberforce Clayborne Humphries (menswear assistant, played by John Inman), whose ambiguous sexuality is used as a catalyst for many comedic situations and one-liners. He is particularly noted for his effeminate voice, which he discards when answering the phone: ("Mennnnnnswear," he intones in a deep register). Often arrives at work in outrageous attire (e.g. punk rocker clothing and hair, motorcycle leather jacket and chaps, sailor uniform) with equally outrageous accounting of his previous night's activities and efforts to nonetheless make it to work on time. While it was never said, and later denied by the series writers, Mr. Humphries seems to be at least functionally bisexual. He is also, arguably, the most pleasant character on the show (In one episode, where the employees were given a chance to vote on which one of them should be fired (although no one was), everyone was nominated (per one vote each) for dismissal except for Mr. Humphries, who himself only voted "don't know."), which perhaps somewhat softens the perceived stereotype. He's also the only store employee who is permanently promoted. In his case, promoted to menswear senior salesman.
Mrs. Betty Slocombe (née Mary Elizabeth Jennifer Rachel Yiddell Abergavenny) (ladieswear senior assistant, Mollie Sugden), fifty-ish, who frequently dyes her hair unusual colours such as lime green or orange. Always seems to have trouble with her feline, named Tiddles, which she refers to as "my pussy", with statements full of double entendres that she herself completely misses. She is known for trying to sound refined and "posh", but when exasperated or annoyed, she reveals more than a trace of a northern English accent (it is never determined whether it is more Lancashire or Yorkshire, although Sugden herself is from Yorkshire). Her catch phrase is "...and I am unanimous in that..." Spends most of her free time prowling gin mills, roller rinks and discos with her friend Mrs. Axelby, who is never seen. Due to her middle age, men are less and less attracted to her, which she dismisses as extreme politeness on the part of all men. In the spin off series Grace & Favour there are hints that when she was young, she was quite a flirt!
Captain Stephen Peacock (floorwalker, Frank Thornton), who considers himself above the assistants with both his position and his dubious military record, which wouldn't be so shameful except Peacock feels the need to brag about his experiences fighting Rommel in North Africa. Mr. Mash likes to tell the staff that Peacock served in the NAAFI instead, and probably didn't ever leave England, and Mr. Goldberg hints that Peacock's real rank was a Corporal. Although Peacock usually talks as if he were a member of the elite Commando unit, he admits he was in the Royal Army Service Corps. He also has a penchant of leering at Miss Brahms, Mr. Grace's and Mr. Rumbold's secretaries, and sometimes Mrs. Slocombe. Mrs. Peacock appears in a few episodes, often amidst marital trouble.
Miss Shirley Brahms (ladieswear junior, Wendy Richard), cheeky to Mrs. Slocombe and known for her Estuary English accent, sometimes unintelligible to the person with whom she is speaking. She is sometimes (but usually not) receptive to the advances of Mr. Lucas.
Mr. Cuthbert Rumbold (manager of the floor, Nicholas Smith), bald, jug-eared, and none too bright. He frequently takes slang phrases literally, leading to his formulating far-fetched explanations of incidents between the characters. Mr. Rumbold's greatest ambition is to be called to the board of directors at Grace Bros (he looks up dreamily whenever the word "boardroom" is mentioned). He is known to take credit for others' ideas, but subsequently tries to deny all involvement, when said ideas inevitably prove disastrous. He is usually oblivious to the sex appeal of his attractive secretary, even while she is leered at by Mr. Lucas and/or Captain Peacock.
Mr. James (later changed to Dick) Lucas (1972–1979, Trevor Bannister), (menswear junior). A randy young man who is chronically late for work with always a creative excuse, and the only one of the staff not concerned with the pecking order (and thus, takes many sarcastic potshots at those who are, particularly Mrs. Slocombe). He directs much of his attention toward Miss Brahms. He was replaced by Mr. Bert Spooner (1981–1985, Mike Berry) when Bannister left to do a play. Mr. Lucas's departure is never directly explained; however, Capt. Peacock says in the episode "Sit Out", in which the ladies' and gents' departments have performed no business for the day, that the last time the departments had no sale, "we fired the junior."
Mr. Ernest Grainger (1972–1977, Arthur Brough), (menswear senior). Elderly, cranky head of the Menswear department, has been with Grace Brothers for over four decades. He misses much of the goings-on, due partially to his failure to turn on his hearing aid, and to frequently falling asleep on the job. He resents being forced to share the floor with the Ladieswear department. He vaguely resembles Winston Churchill, in both appearance and demeanor and has a weakness for pork pies.
Mr. Percival Tebbs (1978, James Hayter), Mr. Harry Goldberg (1979, Alfie Bass), Mr. Grossman (1981, Milo Sperber), Mr. Klein (1981, Benny Lee) (menswear senior) Mr. Grainger's various replacements, after his departure in 1977.
Mr. Mash (1972–1975, Larry Martyn) and Mr. Beverley (also called Harry) Harman (1976–1985, Arthur English) (Maintenance). Both maintenance personnel who have no fear of their superiors, and who have a thorough knowledge of store operations and union workers' rights (and take home much larger paycheques than the sales assistants). Both are very common individuals and are frequently reprimanded by Capt. Peacock for appearing on the sales floor during business hours.
Young Mr. Grace (1972–1981, Harold Bennett) and Old Mr. Grace (1981, Kenneth Waller) (store owner), the eponymous Grace Brothers themselves, both of whom were old (but loved young, curvaceous women) and both of whom treated their employees with respect and encouragement—hence Young Mr. Grace's catch phrase "You've all done very well!" Upon Young Mr. Grace's first appearance, Mr. Lucas expressed disbelief at the name being applied to such an elderly man, prompting Mr. Humphries to note, "Old Mr. Grace doesn't get about much." Ironically, Old Mr. Grace, who was introduced after Bennett left the series, appeared younger than his brother.

Episode list

Sixty-nine episodes were aired. All episodes are in the order they were first aired. Each series first airing is shown alongside it.

(Please note: Episode summaries contain spoilers and plot information.)

Pilot (1972)

"Comedy Playhouse: Are You Being Served? (aka The Pilot Episode)" (which now exists only in B&W)

Series One (1973)

Series Two (1974)

"The Clock"
"Cold Comfort"
"The Think Tank"
"Big Brother"
"Horrah for the Holidays"

Series Three (1975)

"The Hand of Fate"
"Coffee Morning"
"Up Captain Peacock"
"Cold Store"
"Wedding Bells"
"German Week"
"Shoulder to Shoulder"
"New Look"
"Christmas Crackers"

Series Four (1976)

"No Sale"
"Top Hat and Tails"
"Forward, Mr. Grainger"
"Fire Practice"
"Fifty Years On"
"Oh, What a Tangled Web"
"The Father Christmas Affair"

Series Five (1977)

"Mrs. Slocombe Expects"
"A Change is as Good as a Rest"
"Founder's Day"
"The Old Order Changes"
"Take-Over"
"Goodbye Mr. Grainger"
"It Pays to Advertise"

Series Six (1978)

"By Appointment"
"The Club"
"Do You Take This Man?"
"Shedding the Load"
"A Bliss Girl"
"Happy Returns"

Series Seven (1979)

"The Junior"
"Strong Stuff This Insurance"
"The Apartment"
"Mrs. Slocombe, Senior Person"
"The Hero"
"Anything You Can Do"
"The Agent"
"The Punch and Judy Affair"

Series Eight (1981)

"Is it Catching?"
"A Personal Problem"
"Front Page Story"
"Sit Out"
"Heir Apparent"
"Closed Circuit"
"The Erotic Dreams of Mrs. Slocombe"
"Roots?"

Series Nine (1983)

"The Sweet Smell of Success"
"Conduct Unbecoming"
"Memories are Made of This"
"Calling All Customers"
"Monkey Business"
"Lost and Found"

Series Ten (1985)

"Goodbye Mrs. Slocombe"
"Grounds for Divorce"
"The Hold-Up"
"Gambling Fever"
"The Night Club"
"Friends and Neighbours"
"The Pop Star"

External links

Are You Being Served? | BBC television sitcoms | David Croft sitcoms | PBS network shows